The New York Mets improved their Opening Day record to 37-20 with a 8-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon at Citi Field.
This afternoon’s win was also new manager Mickey Callaway‘s first as a major league manager.
Pitching
Noah Syndergaard took the hill this afternoon which officially starts the season and puts last year’s disappointment in the rear view mirror.
Thor came out pitching with a vengeance striking out the first batter of the season, Dexter Fowler. Syndergaard finished the day pitching six innings while allowing six hits and four earned runs.
Thor also struck out 10 Cardinals while walking none, he joined Pedro Martinez (2005) as the only pitchers in Mets history to strike out at least batters on Opening Day.
Robert Gsellman came in the seventh inning and struck out the side in order, hitting 95 mph with his sinker.
Anthony Swarzak pitched a clean inning of work in his Mets debut.
Jeurys Familia sealed the deal with a scoreless ninth inning in the non-save situation.
Overall the Mets pitchers proved effective against a potent Cardinal’s lineup by striking out 15 while only walking one.
Hitting
Yoenis Cespedes batted from the two hole today and went 2 for 5 with three RBIs including a go-ahead two run single in the bottom half of the second inning.
Amed Rosario batted ninth and went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Adrian Gonzalez left Spring Training ice cold but in his first major league game with the Mets he went 2 for 3 with an RBI, run scored, and two walks.
Kevin Plawecki got the start over Travis d’Arnaud and rewarded Callaway with two hits, two walks, two runs scored and an RBI.
Brandon Nimmo went 2 for 3 with a walk, HBP and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot.
The Mets went 5 for 15 with runners in scoring position and every starting position player reached base at least once.
On Deck
The Mets have a day off on Friday and return to Citi Field on Saturday as Jacob deGrom takes on the Cardinal’s Michael Wacha. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m.
